The Shanawdithit Shelter is named after the last Beothuk, a woman who died in 1829 at the age of 29. The Shelter opened in September of 2003. It can accommodate up to 23 persons and families experiencing temporary or regular homelessness.The Shelter has ten (10) bedrooms. Two (2) family rooms upstairs and two (2) rooms on the main floor for women and children. Telephones are in each room. There is also a pay phone in the main hall area. There are five (5) single rooms, one (1) double fully accessible room, four (4) family rooms. On the main floor there is one fully accessible bathroom, laundry room, dining room, kitchen and common area with a television, reading material and children's play area. On the second floor there is one full bathroom at the top of the stairs, one fully accessible bathroom next to room #3, a bathroom next to #4 and a bathroom in #10. Shower facilities are available, however, clients must provide their own toiletries. Towels are provided in each room. Washers and Dryers are available for a fee per load and must be completed by 10:30 p.m.
We are proud to offer a smoke free enviroment. We hope your stay will be a pleasent one. The Shelter is complete with a kitchen, dining room, children's play area, living room - a home away from home. We have a seen a long-term goal come true with supplying a shelter for homeless clients, transient peoples, and clients temporarily in St. John's for medical reasons.
The Shelter operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Providing a safe and secure enviroment for absolute homeless clients and to reduce the emotional trauma for transient and others requiring assistance. It is handicap accessible, complete with elevator and chair lift service. The Centre provides services that are geared to the particular needs of the Aboriginal community. For instance, one of the most often used services is welcoming people at the airport and providing transportation to the city. This may seem unusual but some people have never been to the city. They require help in getting to medical facilities or a doctor's appointment. Often communications are an issue. The Centre provides translation services from InnuktutuK and Innu Aimun to English so that patients can explain their situations. Beyond the actual services, staff at the centre can deal effectively with Cultural dimension of the people they serve.
The National Homelessness Initiative's (NHI) mission is to support communities' efforts to help Canadians out of homelessness. By working in partnership with the community organizations, the private and voluntary sectors and levels of Government, the NHI is bringing all stakeholders together to develop local solutions that work to address particular needs and challenges faced by homeless people. The Shanawdithit Shelter is already a facility that brings significant benefits not only to the people who receive services, but the entire community. This makes the Centre a key service in Newfoundland and Labrador. Quotes from past clients; " If you're an Aboriginal person, you want to stay close to Aboriginal people. A lot of Innu don't feel comfortable with strange people." Innu man, 49 Sheshatshiu "People are fearful and shy. They wonder to whom they can talk to and if anyone will understand them. When they arrive at the airport and deplane, you can see by the expressions on their faces, in addition to being ill, they are distraught. When someone meets them, you can see the relief wash over their face, they no longer feel abandoned and alone." Inuit woman " A healthy diet is important to the Inuit, who generally have a steady diet of caribou, fish and meat." Inuit man These are examples that were taken from a study completed by the division of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, MUN and the Friendship Centre. " It is not my place to impose upon someone else's culture. If I can't understand it, the least I can do is respect it." William Anderson 111, Inuk |
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